I posted notes when this wine was released, basically stating that I did not like it much as it was incredibly offered. I was going to put it in the cellar and wait. Well, I popped one spontaneously tonight, and it was worth the wait. The wine is very aromatic, and I can smell it from 3 feet awat. Nice red fruit, spice, and that seaweed/sushi aroma that I get with many French Wines, especially those that are starting to hit adolescence. Do you know which aroma I mean?
Anyway, this is a very pleasant wine. Well balanced. I have had a glass on an empty stomach, and I appreciate the low alcohol, as I do nto feel it at all. That is not the reason I like French wines, but the low ETOH is a great advantage.
If you had these tucked away, feel free to open one. Awesome! 91 points.
Interesting note, Bob. Sounds like you had a nice bottle. I had opened one about two years ago and found it funky/possibly bretty to the point of distraction. Then again, I don’t much care for the aged southern Rhones I’ve tasted, so it may just be a personal problem. Although I’ve really liked the aged Bandols I’ve tried, so I don’t think it’s an issue with Mourvedre as such.
I wonder if what I described as funk is what you call seeweed. You say you find it on many French wines, but that’s a pretty broad generalization. Do you encounter it across many regions, or only in certain (I assume warmer) appellations?
I didn’t buy the 2002 by the case [as I usually do] for the obvious reason but I have had the occasional bottle and found it pretty good - perhaps because there was no Beau CDP made that year. Nowhere near the excellent 2001 of course but still a good wine.
Had one this week (over two days) and it chocked full of brett.
Now I’m not sure how many kinds of brett there are but I find
one that smells like bandaids as it gets older
and one that is closer to dung both young and old.
This 2001 CdB seemed to have a bit of both!
While I got a great price ($14.99 per) on a case. I’m
thinking of shipping off a 6 pk as my wife won’t drink the stuff
and I’m becoming less and less tolerant of brett.
I remember posting a note on it when it was released, and stating that it needed time, and you told me that you were waiting 5 years on it. Well, it has been 5 years, and you were right because it is in its wheel house right now. Really, it is drinking quite lovely.
An internet friends (whom I have not seen post in a few years) once told me that he liked Coudelet >10 years of age because it develops a cinnamon aroma which he enjoyed. For that reason, I have a bottle of the 98 tucked away somewhere that I plan on opening if I can ever find it.
Well, my wife is hugely brett sensitive and hates it. Hates so many french wines because of it, and Beaucastel in particular. She did not mention it at all last night, and even went back for a second glass.
The seaweed aroma (may be better called “Nori”) I have found in some french wines. Older Beaucastels, such as the 90. (most of my experience with older Rhones is Beaucastel). I remember it most vididly in the 89 Montrose.